will
|
roggae,
Sounds fun. The KT66 Valve Arts look just like Lon's favored TAD KT66 to me. The companies may well have different screening methods...don't know the details, but I am guessing they are the same basic tube. Like the KT66 Gold Lion, it is another attempt at a remake of the famous early KT66s. I have posted here and there about the VAs as has Lon about the TADs, so I think if you search the Forum with those tube names you will get some ideas.
There are also posts around on the Tungsol KT66. I suspect Steve still ships these with the the Mystery and MKIV (KT66 option). Without putting them in to double check, I recall that Tungsols are likely the cleanest, most open and linear of the new KT66, the Gold Lion probably the darkest/warmest, and the Valve Art sort of in between...each having their own personality (and being highly influenced by the rest of the tubes used).
The 5AR4/GZ34 types are interesting. Compared to 5U4G-ST types, generally, they tend to be more dynamic, tighter bass, more clear and defined, more focused...doing this musically if they fit in with the rest....the combination likely coming off as more detailed and defined in your experiments. The Sovteks are attempts at old Mullards I think, and a pretty nice tube. If you get seduced further by it, you will pay much more, but also get more refinement in every aspect from NOS Phillips/Mullard types, expensive because they are so well liked. But there are deals that come up now and then, especially with off brand labels and/or if they are a little used.
I use Phillips/Mullard GZ32 types, a very similar sound, but a bit less powerful than a GZ34, so tending to more open, less big/dynamic, less deep and dark, less obvious. Not better or worse, but a nice choice for fine-tuning if the general GZ tube qualities are what works, but GZ34 tend to be a little strong. I loved RCA 5U4G-STs for years, but finally this GZ32 type has become a standard here. There are a bunch of variations of that basic Euro type too, all sounding a little different....Then there are American designated 5V4Gs, pretty close equivalents, but having a discernible difference in feel from the GZ32s, and each of them also sounding different. I find these can be quite good in the right company too, and much less expensive in general, but not generally as sophisticated in balance and refinement to me. Also, in my system, they tend to be a little less linear...often (though not always) a bit more open on top, and a bit darker/denser below in the general balance.
But if the balance of the Sovtek GZ34 works, the GZ32 or 5V4Gs could be too open/lean, and/or a little lacking in punch and power.
|